This briefing on arts and culture charts the impact of the EBac on the availability of creative subjects in schools, as assessed by a number of bodies, and in particular, the House of Commons Education Committee in 2011. These are some of the main impacts identified:

Unequal access to creative subjects in schools is increasing.

The English Baccalaureate (EBac) has exacerbated low take-up of creative subjects

The evidence-based benefits of creative arts courses, such as improved social and physical skills, citizenship and academic learning, have not been taken into account in the proposed English Baccalaureate Certificate core subjects so far.

This briefing is relevant to officers and members involved in arts and culture in education and arts development in councils as well as those concerned by the general erosion of cultural capacity in the UK in the context of austerity.